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C-Section
Introduction
A Cesarean section, or C-section, is the surgical delivery of a baby through an incision
in the abdomen. If your health care provider recommends a C-section, the decision to
have this procedure is also yours.
This reference summary is about C-sections. It discusses why they are needed, how
they are performed, the risks of the procedure and what to expect after the procedure.
Anatomy
The female reproductive organs are located in the
pelvis, between the urinary bladder and the rectum.
The female reproductive organs include the:
• Ovaries.
• Fallopian tubes.
• Uterus.
• Vagina.
Ovaries
Fallopian
tubes
If a woman gets pregnant, the fetus stays in the uterus
until delivery. The uterus is able to expand a lot.
Uterus
Vagina
The lowest part of the uterus is called the cervix. It opens into the vagina, which opens
to the outside of the body between the urethra and the rectum. During labor, the cervix
slowly becomes 10 cm (4 in) wide. This is called dilation. The cervix also becomes
thinner. This is called effacement. The mother is only asked to push when the cervix is
fully effaced and dilated. The path the baby travels through the cervix and out the
vagina is called the birth canal.
Reasons for C-Section
A health care provider performs a Cesarean section if he or she thinks it is safer for the
mother or her baby than vaginal birth. Most C-sections are done if unexpected
problems happen during labor.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 04/06/2017
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The most common reasons for a C-section are:
1. The baby is not tolerating labor.
2. The baby is not in the right position.
3. There is not enough room for the baby to go through the
vagina.
4. The cervix does not dilate completely.
5. There are medical emergencies. For instance, problems
with the placenta or umbilical cord may make emergency
C-section necessary.
Sometimes, health care providers know ahead of time that a Csection is best. If the mother has a medical condition such as
diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or infectious diseases of the genital area, a
health care provider may suggest a C-section.
Procedure
A C-section takes place in an operating room. It typically takes about a half an hour to
an hour. If the mother is in the delivery room when a C-section is needed, she is
moved to the operating room.
The anesthesiologist gives the mother anesthesia. Regional anesthesia is usually used
but general anesthesia is sometimes needed. For general anesthesia the mother is
asleep and cannot see, feel, hear or remember the surgery. Regional anesthesia is
anesthesia that numbs a part or a region of the body. General anesthesia is anesthesia
that puts the patient to sleep.
Regional anesthesia can be given through an epidural or a spinal block. These
medications are given through a needle or catheter in or around the spine. If you have
regional anesthesia, you may still be able to feel the
baby being pulled out but will not feel pain.
After anesthesia, a health care provider makes 2
incisions. The first incision is through the skin and
abdominal wall. The second one is through the uterus.
The incision through the abdominal wall is about 6
inches (15 cm) long. The incision goes through the skin,
fat and muscles. After making the abdominal incision,
the uterus is opened.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 04/06/2017
og200106
2
After the baby is removed from the uterus, the umbilical cord is cut. Then the placenta
is removed from the uterus. The incisions are then closed; the stitches on the outside
may be dissolving stitches or nonabsorbable stitches or staples that may
have to be taken out.
Risks & Complications
A C-section is a safe procedure. But, like
any surgery, it has risks and complications.
Knowing about them may help you prevent
or detect complications early if they happen.
All surgeries carry the risk of infection or a
reaction to anesthesia. Anesthesia is safe.
But, like any medicine, it can have risks.
The risks and complications include those
related to anesthesia and those related to any type of surgery.
Regional anesthesia may be injected where it should not go or it may not go deep
enough to work correctly. Injury to a nerve can also happen.
Risks of general anesthesia include:
• Cut lips and chipped teeth.
• Headache.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Problems urinating.
• Sore throat.
More serious risks of general anesthesia include:
• Heart attacks.
• Lung infections.
• Strokes.
Your anesthesiologist will discuss these risks with
you and ask if you are allergic to certain
medications.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 04/06/2017
og200106
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Risks and complications related to any surgical procedure include:
• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Scarring.
Infections could happen on the skin or deep in the
abdomen and pelvis. Antibiotics and surgery are
sometimes needed to clear up infections. If there is a lot
of bleeding, sometimes a blood transfusion is needed
after a C-section. Scarring may happen. It is rare for the
outer scar of a C-section to be unsightly. But internal and
external scarring may be painful.
There is a risk that organs near the uterus could be
injured during a C-section. This might require another operation to fix the possible
damage. After healing, a uterine incision could leave a weak spot in the uterine wall.
This might cause problems if the woman tries to deliver another baby vaginally.
Rarely, the bowel slows down for several days after
surgery, resulting in distention, bloating and discomfort.
This is called ileus.
Babies born through C-section may have lungs that are still
wet. This can cause a mild respiratory difficulty and rapid
breathing. Health care providers can give the baby extra
oxygen. They may use oxygen under pressure to force fluid
out of the baby’s lungs. This rapid breathing typically goes
away within a few hours or days. The baby may be less
likely to be breastfed because of the difficulty of caring for
the baby while recovering from surgery.
After a C-Section
The stay in a health care facility after a C-section is 3 to 4 days. It is a little longer than
the 1 or 2 day stay for vaginal delivery. Recovering after a C-section takes longer, too.
After a C-section, you might need pain medicine for a few days. You will also feel weak
or tired. It is important for you to walk. This helps prevent blood clots in the veins of the
legs and pelvis. It also prevents fluid buildup in the lungs.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 04/06/2017
og200106
4
It is normal to feel depressed after a delivery, whether it was vaginal or Cesarean.
Those feelings usually go away. Even so, it is important to tell a health care provider
about them. He or she may recommend a support group or prescribe medication.
Summary
A C-section is the surgical delivery of a baby through an incision in the abdomen. It is a
common procedure.
Most C-sections are done when unexpected problems happen during labor, such as:
• The baby not tolerating labor.
• The baby not being in the proper position.
Other problems that may require a C-section include:
• Not enough room for the baby to go through the vagina.
• Emergency problems with the placenta.
• The cervix not dilating completely.
A C-section is a relatively safe procedure for the mother and baby. But, like any
surgery, it has risks and complications that include infection, bleeding and scarring.
After healing, a uterine incision may leave a
weak spot in the uterine wall. This could
cause problems with future attempts at
vaginal birth.
The stay in a health care facility after a Csection is 3 to 4 days. It is a little longer than
the 1 or 2 day stay for vaginal delivery.
Recovering after a C-section takes longer,
too. After a C-section, you might need pain
medicine for a few days. You will also feel
weak or tired. It is important for you to walk. This helps prevent blood clots in the veins
of the legs and pelvis. It also prevents fluid buildup in the lungs.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 04/06/2017
og200106
5